Baton Rouge boxer fights through a tough upbringing

Behind every nickname is a story and underneath every story is depth; the story of Eric "Babyface Assassin" Walker runs deep.

For this Baton Rouge fighter and father, boxing is much more than a sport. It's a way to teach others to not make the same mistakes he did and a way to inspire. Born in Plaquemine and raised in Baton Rouge, things weren't easy for Eric Walker. A rough upbringing spilled over in the form of an angry temperament and bad choices.

"I was basically doing what I wanted to do and not listening to my mother," Walker said. "I ended up in the wrong place, committing crimes and stuff like that and I lost my life for 13 years."

At just 15 years old, he was convicted of armed robbery and sent to prison, where he'd spent the next 13 years behind bars. Through his pain, he'd find his passion for the sport of boxing and an outlet to finally put all of his energy.

"The way I used to look at life, it basically changed through boxing because it teaches you discipline and responsibility," Walker added.

Now, at 33 years old and after climbing through the professional ranks, Walker trains out of Beat to Sleep Gym in Baton Rouge, is 13-0 and will defend his WBC title belt this Saturday.

"I want to show people where I came from doesn't mean anything. As long as you work hard at what you do and believe in what you do, don't let nobody tell you the opposite because you're going to make it," Walker explained.

Walker now says his focus is living selflessly and giving back to others.

"My life basically isn't as important anymore. It's about helping others because, you know, I was helped along the way. Going to jail at 15 years old, I couldn't have made it. I had family still there for me and I had guys in the institution that were able to show me the ropes," Walker stated.

Walker’s title defense is the main event at the Belle of Baton Rouge on Saturday.

A special thanks to the entire team at Beat to Sleep for this incredible story.

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